Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in art and crafts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Josh Stolberg, founder, and owner of RVA CapWorks, located in Richmond, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Ever walk down the street and actually look at what people are wearing? You will see about 1 in 5 millennials wearing brewery shirts and hats. Craft Beer is definitely a phenomenon; well beyond the liquid, it can be consumed as well as visually appreciated. This consumer base is constantly looking for unique ways of expressing their dedication. That's where I come in, by bringing an artistic flair to the world of craft beer!
One beer at a time, we convert ordinary breweriana into imaginative works of art and functional items with an artistic twist. Through the use of innovative techniques, the conventional is transformed into inspired, hand-crafted pieces. Cap by cap, we stretch our imagination and see the potential in what could be!
Tell us about yourself
I am an engineer by training but an artist at heart. It all began in college when I started collecting caps for no apparent reason. Several years later, I had thousands of caps and too much time on my hands. My wife and I created a full suite of Roman Centurion Armor for Halloween.
This demonstrated that caps could be a versatile artistic medium. I decided to try something simpler and made bottle cap flowers to give as holiday gifts. A few friends were so impressed they requested I make some small crafts to sell alongside their food cart business. Since then, I've left my "big boy" job and moved into my own studio.
The best part about working for myself is having control over my own day and always being able to use my creativity. It wasn't long ago I was sitting on a vast cubicle farm doing mind-numbing work for a huge corporation.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I have a degree in mechanical engineering. As an aspiring young engineer, I thought I'd land a design or R&D job after college. After entering the workforce, the reality eventually set in that positions like this are few and far between. After a decade of service to corporate America, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. I expected to be an artist, but never anticipated getting to do the "real" engineering work I had desired since college. I have designed and fabricated several machines that increase the quality of my products while decreasing production time and cost. I consider it a great accomplishment not only to create art but also to exercise my engineering creativity.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest part of being a small business owner is behind-the-scenes work, such as keeping the books, social media, and hiring. All of the important things you don't really want to do but are important to your success.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
The most important tip about starting a business is to have a plan. It doesn't necessarily have to be a formal business plan, but be sure there's a path to profitability. Once you've established your business, don't be afraid to invest in it. And most importantly, remember to have fun!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://www.rvacapworks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RVAcapworks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capworks804/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.
